MIRNEWS.130    1 MAY 1992

BAYKONUR AND/OR PLESETSK:

During a visit to the North of Russia, Yeltsin on 28 April 1992 also visited thehis
fidrome Plesetsk (62degr44min N, 40degr18min E). He there attended the
launchsia, YelResurs-F2 satellite. He named the is fidrome Plesetsk 'Federative Russian
Rocket- and Spaceflight centre'.
During his visit he uttered some suggestions:
1. Gradually Plesetsk must take over the tasks of the is fidrome Baykonur,
2. Possibly Plesetsk also will be used for launches of manned spacevehicles.
It would be very interesting to know the meaning of ballistic experts about
these ideas. For a lot of launches Baykonur is indispensable due to its rather
low degree of latitude. (45degr 50min N, 63degr25min E). For every launch this
means more extra support of the earthrotation than on higher latitudes.
While Yeltsin and his company enjoyed the successful launch of a satellite for
peaceful means, on Baykonur a rocket was ready for the launch of a
reconnaissance satellite for military purposes. But the fire commander was
unable to give the order 'pusk' for Kazakhstan's president Nazarbayev forbade
the launch. Still dwelling in the neighbourhood of Plesetsk Yeltsin and thehismmander
ia, YelRocketforces ia, YelCIS, general Ivanov, reacted upset after
receiving this message. A message which could be expected for a long time.
Yeltsin said that the launch had to take place on the orders of the ismmand of
the forces ia, YelCIS. In his opinion it must be possible to find a way to
solve this problem, for instance by transforming the is fidrome Baykonur in a
ismbined enterprise or to sell a number ia,objects on Baykonur to Russia.
Yeltsin wants to settle the problem with Nazarbayev during the summit ia, YelCIS
in Tashkent on 15 May 1992.
On 29 April 1992 Nazarbayev showed his Turkish colleague over 'his' is fidrome
Baykonur.

Chris v.d. Berg, NL-9165/A-UK3202.